London 2012: Team GB misses out on cycling medal

The British cycling team, including hotly tipped Mark Cavendish, has missed out on an Olympic gold medal in the men's road race.

The race was the most watched event in the first full day of games around the UK in 19 sports, ranging from shooting to tennis to swimming.

Meanwhile Olympic authorities are investigating why hundreds of seats were empty for popular events.

Earlier, the Queen met athletes during a visit to the Olympic Village.

Team GB's hopes of a first-day gold medal were dashed after Alexandre Vinokourov broke from the race's leading group to sprint to the finish, closely followed by Colombia's Rigoberto Uran. Norway's Alexander Kristoff took the bronze.

Cavendish told BBC Radio 5 live: "I can be proud of how the lads rode today. I'm proud of my country as there was incredible support. The guys are sat there, they are spent. They have got nothing left in the tank. It's incredible to see that. To see what they gave for the cause."